Parkes Spacecats warming up for a great 2023 season.

Last weekend’s trial game against Wellington was the final trial game for the Spacecats before Round 1 kicks off on 16th April, at Pioneer Oval against Cowra. 

Coach Michael Dumesny, and assistant coach Freddy Francis had a few harsh words to say in regards to some sloppy play from the Parkes Spacecats in Wellington last Saturday, 1st April. 

“Wellington defended well in patches, but it’s always good to go away with the win, especially considering we had four vital players out,” said Michael. 

Freddy said, “Defense was good, a few of our mistakes let Wellington back in but our girls recovered.” Standout players on the day were Tess Wood, Elizabeth Macgregor, Teagan Smede and Keely Reynolds. 

The team is still reeling from the loss of star player, Jorja Simpson, who was has been completely ruled out for the season. 

Elizabeth Macgregor and Cody Wakefield have been named as co-captains. Michael went on to explain, “Cody plays in the middle and Elizabeth, is without a doubt the best fullback in the competition even though she is only 16, so it made sense to make them co-captains.” 

Magpies Under 18’s side being shown the ropes by Josh Miller.

The Forbes & Parkes Phoenix recently spoke with Forbes Magpies under 18’s Coach, Brad McMillan about how the boys are shaping up for the 2023 season.

Brad is an experienced coach, having previously worked with the under 18’s team back in the early 2000’s and again in 2020. He also had a stint coaching the Forbes Magpies first grade team in 2014, before coaching the Eugowra side in 2021.

Brad spoke about what his focus will be for the under 18’s this year. “A lot of my focus is on defense. I like to think that if you can stop tries, you can stop games, it’s 50% of the game.”

“A lot of people focus on attack, and that is an extremely important part of the game, but I think defensively that’s what we really want to nail this year,” said Brad.

Proving that it’s not what you know but who you know, Brad recruited his brother- in-law, Josh Miller to teach the under 18’s squad some great defensive techniques.

Josh Miller played in the NRL for both the Canberra Raiders and the St George Dragons, even sharing the Player of the Year award at Canberra Raiders in 2005 alongside Troy Thompson and in 2009 alongside Josh Duggan.

Josh has been signed this year as the Contact Coach for the Raiders to improve the defensive technique of the players. It was those defensive skills that Brad was wanting Josh to teach his under 18s.

They will get to test their new skillset when they play the curtain raiser in Mudgee on Saturday, 1st April ahead of the Newcastle Knights v Manly Sea Eagles game for round 5 of the NRL. Be sure to head to Mudgee for a great day of footy.

The draw is out, so save the date and head along this weekend to watch some thrilling games of footy. All games will be played on Spooner Oval and will be 20 minutes each with cross over at the 10 minute mark (no time off) 5 minute gap between games. For the men the registration link will be sent to club representatives shortly. Remember this is a fun get together, anyone who takes things too seriously and is sent off by the referee’s will not be able to take part in the rest of the day. It hasn’t happened yet so don’t be the first!

DRAW:

10:40 Trundle vs Condobolin (Womens)

11:05 Andrew Dwyer Memorial vs Canowindra

11:30 Cargo vs Valley Dragons

11:55 Tuggeranong vs Trundle

12:20 Manildra vs Grenfell

12:45 Eugowra vs Condobolin (Womens)

1:10 Parkes vs Condobolin

1:35 Eugowra vs Coogee

2:00 Canowindra vs Valley Dragons

2:25 Eugowra vs Trundle (Womens)

2:50 Trundle vs Cargo

3:15 Grenfell vs Andrew Dwyer Memorial

3:40 Manildra vs Tuggeranong

4:05 Coogee vs Condo

4:30 Eugowra vs Parkes